Performance nerves!

[Jacey1973]

Does anyone have any advice on getting over stage fright/nerves? I get them terribly, as i'm sure most people do. I think the best way to go about them is to just perform as often as possible, but this is not always feasible.

I have a half an hour recital in June (for my final year at Uni) and i'm playing from memory properly for the first time (i thought it was about time i pushed myself to do it!) but i know i will get terribly nervous.

The worst thing that happens for me, is i tense up, and when my arms tense up my fingers tense up and don't work properly! This really is a nightmare.

[anda]

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as bernhard would say - just the tip of the iceberg 

best luck

[robo1001]

Drink a few pints before you hit the stage 

[nikodr]

Study well and you will be ok,if you instruct your fingers correctly by the master (your brain that is),then you play 100% good.If the fingers are instructed the wrong way then you play bad.If brain gives order to be relaxed your stomach will be ok.If brain gives signal of panic then your stomach hurts and all your muscles are in pain.So advice from a man with much humor.Shut down any negative thoughts and instruct your arm fingers wrist forearm and shoulders to perform 100% correct.And produce the sound you want.The great pianists do that.Also do not have shake feelings or fast heart beat,again your brain does it all.You are in command.If you can understand the last sentence it means that you are in control of everything.There is no such thing as luck in piano play,i am against that.Fingers and arms only do what they are instructed to do.

[outsyde yn]

I just played in my first recital.  It was so much fun.  my faminly got lost on the way to the place and right after we walked in the doors to the auditorium, my name was called to come and play next.  I think I didn't have any time to get nervous or something.  but i walked up there and i looked at the audience and was like, woah there's a lot of people out there.  and then I sat down and I was playing Pachabelle canon and if I let myself think about the people I would not make it.  so i made a curtain with my hair and I couldn't see them and then I made myself not think about them. 

the performance was so much fun then and people clapped really loud.  maybe that would work for you.  don't think about the people out there, and then next thing you know you will be over with and they will be clapping really loud for you too.

bye
Clair

[Tash]

just think of how exciting it all is! provided you don't let yourself get worked up over it you'll be fine- sure sounds easier said than done, but the mind is a bizarre thing and i've managed to manipulate mine so i can bounce onto the piano and play for anyone!

[anda]

one very personal thought (and i might have said this here before, but, you know, with old age, you tend to forget sorry if i'm repeating myself):

best way i know to get rid of performance nerves: get to love your audience, love the work you're playing, and keep in mind as you're walking on the stage that you are there only to get all these wonderful people to get to know this wonderful work/composer. as pianist, you are nothing more than a story teller - the story's already written, now all you have to do is tell it so that everybody will love it.

(imho)

[Jacey1973]

Thanks very much, it's all helpful! I have to think more positive thoughts when i am going on stage - i think one can get over critical sometimes.

[steinwayguy]

Do not, under any circumstances, analyze your playing. Focus on what you need to do, not what you have just done.